There is an expectancy in the air, marbling in with the glorious atmosphere of heaven. Sitting on his throne is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, where he is casually talking with the great I AM. The magnificent crown, beyond imagination, rests on his head, in such a way as to give the impression that it is literally a part of him, an extension of his body. It doesn’t appear heavy, resting comfortably as it has from before the beginning of time. He has never been without the crown.

Even as the angels worship there is a stir of anticipation, mingling with a touch of dread. Things are happening, things unequaled since The Creation. And this is bigger than The Creation was. This is beyond their comprehension. They aren’t comfortable with this. Yes, they know of the love the great I AM has for his creation, there is no doubt about that. They have been there with him from the beginning, watched him through the agony of the fall, watched as he cried out in anger and frustration over his children, and watched his heartbrokenness as his people turned their backs on him. They have seen how much he desires their love in return. It is beyond anything they can understand, this love he has for his creation. After all, he has them, the angels. They give him the reverence, awe, worship, and service he should have, he must have. This creation of his, these humans, they show little respect for him, take him for granted, and treat him as if he were one of them. They complain when he does something, and complain when he doesn’t. They don’t revere him as God, much less as their Creator, the One who loves them beyond anyone else. So why this? Why would he do this? How can the Creator become the creation?

“Gabriel.” I AM’s voice cuts through the heavens in a strong and vibrant tone, stopping every thought and motion. “The time has come. You know what to say.”

“Yes. It will be as you have said.”

“All right, go.”

All of heaven watches as Gabriel moves toward the portal that joins heaven and earth, then disappears through it. The glorious form of the great I AM shifts on the throne as he returns to his conversation with the King of Kings.

“It’s almost time now.”

“I know. It’s going to be interesting. I’ll have a lot to tell you when I get back.”

“I AM that I AM, I have everything under my feet, but you know what this is costing me … to send you …”

The cherubim whir closer, announcing Gabriel’s return.

The King of Kings speaks. “To the joy set before me.”

“To your Bride.”

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords stands, pauses a moment, then reaches up and removes his crown. Setting it upon the seat of his throne, his eyes meet with the God of the Universe, and then he is gone.

*     *     *     *     *     *

It is finished. He is back now, until that great day when he will leave to bring his Bride home. He has completed his mission, to redeem Adam’s race for his bride. All of heaven is in an uproar, along with the many that have come because of the Lamb. The King of Kings, full of joy, approaches his throne, empty too long in the angel’s opinion. He reaches down, picks up his crown, and in a burst of joy and laughter puts it back on. He’s glad it is finished.

“Welcome back, Son of Man.” The great I Am’s eyes glow with love as they rest on his son. “So tell me, what’s it like?”

“It’s great to be back,” he grins, then turns serious. “It was unbelievable, and I’ll never be the same.”